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Traditional clay bole for Water Gilding

BOLE - Clay for gilding

Traditional clay bole for Traditional Water Gilding

Gilder’s burnish clay or clay bole is an essential part of the traditional water gilding system with gold and silver leaf. Brushed in multiple thin coats over a primed or gesso surface, burnish clay is what allows water gilded gold or silver to be polished to a mirror gloss finish.

This clay bole is sold dry and must be reconstituted before use. Mix the dry clay with water to form a smooth, lump-free paste or slurry, then blend in warm hide glue — traditionally rabbit skin glue — to bind it. This clay-and-glue mixture is what becomes the finished, brushable bole material used for water gilding.

POLIMENT CLAY.

Red Poliment Clay
3555/250 $ 55.00 Poliment Dry Clay - Oxide Red - 250 grams	Oxide Red - 250 gram
3555/K $ 149.00 Poliment Dry Clay - Oxide Red - 1 Kilo	Oxide Red - 1 Kilo
Yellow Poliment Clay
3560/250 $ 55.00 Poliment Dry Clay - Yellow - 250 grams	Yellow - 250 gram
3560/K $ 149.00 Poliment Dry Clay - Yellow - 1 Kilo	Yellow - 1 Kilo
Blue Poliment Clay
3565/250 $ 55.00 Poliment Dry Clay - Blue - 250 grams	Blue - 250 gram
3565/K $ 149.00 Poliment Dry Clay - Blue- 1 Kilo	Blue - 1 Kilo
Black Poliment Clay
3570/250 $ 55.00 Poliment Dry Clay - Black - 250 grams	Black- 250 gram
3570/K $ 149.00 Poliment Dry Clay - Black - 1 Kilo	Black - 1 Kilo
White Poliment Clay
3580/250 $ 55.00 Poliment Dry Clay - White - 250 grams	White- 250 gram
3580/K $ 149.00 Poliment Dry Clay - White- 1 Kilo	White- 1 Kilo

Using Poliment Powder — Quick Form

Poliment powder must be premixed with distilled water (for example, approximately 40 grams water to approximately 60 grams powder). Stir well and let the mixture rest for 30 to 45 minutes, then stir again – the premix is now ready.

Proper consistency is important, as Poliment that is too thick can create visible brush marks underneath the gilding. As a visual reference, the hydrated Poliment should have a consistency similar to a mixture of 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream and 2 level tablespoons corn starch, mixed well with a spatula. This is approximately what the Poliment mixture should look like before adding the rabbit skin glue or gelatin.
Preparing rabbit skin glue: for example, 250 grams distilled water to 10–14 grams of glue, then follow the usual procedure of soaking and warming.

Poliment powder may also be used with powdered technical gelatin. When using gelatin, use only the powdered technical form – clear sheet gelatin used for glass gilding and grocery-store gelatin are not recommended.
Combine the premixed Poliment powder with the prepared rabbit skin glue or powdered technical gelatin:
- For the colors red and black: approximately 12–14 grams of premixed Poliment to 25 grams of prepared glue or gelatin.
- For the colors yellow and white: approximately 8–10 grams of premixed Poliment to 25 grams of prepared glue or gelatin.
Warm the prepared Poliment mixture and check the consistency with a bole brush. When the brush is lifted from the mixture, aim for approximately 3–6 drips from the brush. If the Poliment does not drip, add a small amount of distilled water – approximately 1/2 teaspoon at a time – until the proper consistency is achieved.
Strain the prepared Poliment through a nylon stocking before application. Then proceed with the usual steps of applying the Poliment, drying and smoothing as needed, applying gold leaf, and polishing.

INFORMATION: We inform and advise you to our best knowledge and according to our experience and tests. All information is based on the latest standard of development.